In this case the judges said they were refusing permission to appeal "because the application does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at this time, bearing in mind that the case has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal".

Both men are currently serving life sentences for murdering Constable Carroll, who was the first member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be killed.

The Court of Appeal increased Wootton's minimum jail term from 14 to 18 years last October after ruling it was unduly lenient.

McConville is serving at least a 25-year-sentence for the murder.

Both men lost their appeals against their convictions in May 2014. The Supreme Court's decision means that the Court of Appeal's ruling stands.

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Winston Rea is among dozens of loyalists and republicans who provided testimonies to Boston College's Belfast Project

In the case of Winston Rea, the former loyalist prisoner was one of dozens of former paramilitaries who provided testimonies to Boston College's Belfast Project.

The interviews were given on the understanding that tapes would not be made public until after the deaths of the interviewees.